New Irish Songs To Hear This Week

Gurriers, ‘Erasure’

Dublin rock band Gurriers have released their latest single 'Erasure'.

The group have been in the headlines lately; they completed two sold-out UK, Irish and European tours and recently supported KNEECAP in Belfast and Dublin. For good reason, too. They are one of the most compelling names in Irish hard rock.

'Erasure' is a fine example. It's loud, shouty, full of screaming guitars, crashing drums and shouty vocals. It's harsh in the best way— you feel it in your chest. Need something well-produced and memorable to head bang to? Gurriers have got you covered.

Ailbhe Reddy, ‘Align’

Dublin folk singer-songwriter Ailbhe Reddy has released 'Align'.

It’s one of the most impactful songs of her discography. Her quietly stirring vocals lend naturally to deeply authentic and poetic lyrics describing grief, the pain of memory and finally reaching acceptance in a beautifully relatable track. The context of her emotional contemplations is her true story of a difficult breakup.

"It grew out of a happy, nostalgic memory, the kind that repeats on you in the aftermath," said Reddy of 'Align'.

"At its core, it’s about acceptance — watching someone live their life from afar and hoping they’re happy. The lyric ‘time makes all things alright’ has always been a kind of mantra for me: grief doesn’t vanish, but time softens it, and eventually it makes space for gratitude and moving on."

Reddy's voice touches hearts like no other. Her latest single reaches to the soul.

The Altered Hours, ‘Turn Away’

Irish alt-rock / shoegaze outfit The Altered Hours return with their electric new single ‘Turn Away’, hailing from their self-titled third album, due out November 7. Pairing radiant guitar textures with lyrical vulnerability and cinematic flair, the track further showcases the band’s evolving sound, one that balances shoegaze atmospherics with garage-rock grit.

"For me, this track really captures a lot about what we're aiming for with this record sonically," says vocalist/guitarist Cathal MacGabhann on "Turn Away." "We wanted the vocals to really pop out - to be honest with the listener and not hide any personality. We did this track in two takes and just really leaned into trusting who we are as a band."

MayKay, ‘Busted’

MayKay has released ‘Busted’, the first single from her upcoming debut solo album.

MayKay is entirely herself in ‘Busted’; a winding, compelling narrative of a song with one clear message:

“Be honest with yourselves and more importantly, with your boys. Talk to your boys, please,” said MayKay of the song.

“People with bad intentions will always try to complicate the issue of consent. But it’s not complicated. Do you want women to trust you or not?”

The song is driven by hypnotic drums and slinky, buzzing bass, with MayKay’s sharp and hard vocals at the center. It comes up to a cacophony of scorching guitar lines and shouty “hey, hey!”s and releases with stomping rhythm. MayKay is making a name for herself with a self-led sound in this latest release— and it is simply unforgettable.

Pebbledash, ‘Tiles & Moss’

Cork risers Pebbledash have released their new single ‘Tiles & Moss’, hailing from their upcoming EP To Cast the Sea in Concrete, due out November 5. Blending post-punk aesthetics with emotive shoegaze and grunge tendencies, the track features a wall of crunching guitars, luminous harmonies and incredible tension.

Talking about the ‘Tiles and Moss’, Cormac Donovan O’Neill explains: “It was vital to us that when we brought Tiles and Moss to the studio, we would do it justice, as it’s been a stalwart of our live set for so long.

“As a song, we’ve always felt it’s quintessential Pebbledash, exploring so many sides of what makes up our musical DNA - the lurching, serrated texture of the guitars combined with Fionnbharr’s rapid-fire lyrical delivery recalling an Isn’t Anything-era my bloody valentine, Schuch’s pared-back drumbeat reminiscent of Sister or Daydream Nation.”

Search Results, 'Excrutiating Heights'

Dublin band Search Results have released their new single 'Excruciating Heights'.

The duo is comprised of friends Jack Condon and Fionn Brennan, whose seemingly telepathic connection create undeniably strong onstage chemistry and lend to their penchant for making each other laugh mid-song. 'Excruciating Heights' showcases their grungy garage rock tones, built on screechy guitar lines and strong, at times cheeky vocals that come right from the heart. It's bold and loud, infused with a fun, danceable indie sound. It's built for dancing without inhibitions.

Chris Wong, ‘Asian Flush’

Coming off Chris Wong’s newly released EP For Me: I Try, ‘Asian Flush’ is a softly romantic tune blending soulfulness with sulphurous and dreamy soundscapes, deliciously transporting with its reverbed electric guitar riffs and Wong’s signature delicately stirring vocals.

“Considering the current state of the world,” Wong comments on the EP’s release, “releasing music and promoting myself feels wrong. There’s a genocide happening on the other side of the world. I hate the fact that we’re all shouting on Instagram competing for the same space. I just hope someone somewhere needs the music and provides a bit of comfort.”

Muireann Bradley, 'These Days'

Muireann Bradley’s rendition of 'These Days' transports us straight back to October 1967, when Nico first unveiled the now-classic track on her Chelsea Girls album. While countless artists have revisited Jackson Browne’s composition over the decades, Bradley manages to carve out her own space within the song’s long legacy.

The Donegal born folk artist has already enjoyed a remarkable year, with her debut album, I Kept These Old Blues earning her Hot Press' Album of the Month in February. That recognition wasn’t misplaced—Bradley has an instinct for storytelling that feels both timeless and strikingly fresh.

Staying true to her roots, Muireann strips the song back to just her trusty guitar and stunning vocals. The song is laced with beauty, channeling the melancholic feeling of loss, regret and confusion of youth that the lyrics discuss.

Jazzy, ‘Hypnotic’

Dublin-born dance sensation Jazzy continues to cement her status as a globally revered DJ with brand-new track ‘Hypnotic’, a euphoric ode to mesmerising lust, capturing a snapshot of infatuation between lovers on the dance floor that feels limitless through addictive beats and infinitely catchy synths melodies.

As If I Always Knew, ‘April Light’

Music producer and pianist As If I Always Knew (Cian Sweeney), has released his new album Improvisations 1 featuring ‘April Light’.

The album is a compilation of live piano improvisations all recorded on the same day.

“This project is my attempt to capture my true voice—unapologetically live, unedited, and raw,” said Sweeney.

“There’s a certain flow to it—like these pieces were always there, waiting to be shared. It’s As If I Always Knew.”

‘April Light’ is a light, calming track with whimsical undertones; fitting its name.

The track maintains a distinct rhythmic pattern throughout while sill containing ups and downs. Despite only using one instrument, Sweeney keeps the track engaging with unexpected tone shifts throughout the song.

chameleon, ‘Action Man’

Hailing off chameleon’s new album CALL ME TWICE, out now, ‘Action Man’ deliciously sulphurous tune of soulful, honey-rich vocals, delicately crafted harmonies and languorous instrumentals, slowly building in intensity over the course of the track’s 8 minute run – ‘Action Man’ is an exquisite track which allows itself to take the time to build incredible momentum.

the drive., ‘nothing crossed.’

Cork four-piece the drive. have released their blistering new single ‘nothing crossed.’, a tune which channels feelings of uncertainty and displacement with a near-silent opening before the track erupts, guitars and drums surging into a claustrophobic wall of sound.

“As a kid, ‘nothing crossed’ was something people would always say about promises; sometimes breaking, singer Eoin Murphy explains, “and sometimes keeping them. I wanted to use it as the crux for this song & touch on the society we live in today, and more importantly the future we’re constantly being promised, be that by local TD’s, our government, or even our interpersonal relationships.”

Conleth McGeary, ‘Lily’

Conleth McGeary has released his new single ‘Lily’.

McGeary has credits to note: he recently toured with The Coronas and Ryan McMullan. Last year he played at Misneach Festival, which was programmed by Dermot Kennedy. ‘Lily’ is co-produced with Grammy winnter Ruadhri Cushnan (Ed Sheeran, Mumford and Sons).

But above all, ‘Lily’ belongs to McGeary. It’s a wonderfully nostalgic song that recalls feelings of homesickness and contemplation on memories. McGeary’s lyrics are themselves healing, as he discusses feelings of escape from home and finding the person who makes you feel like you belong, no matter where you are. He carries the tradition of Irish storytelling into a modern ode to the complexities of moving away and longing for connection — something so many of us know too well. This is a song made for a long road trip and a late night conversation.

Blue Slate, ‘Plastic Soul’

Kildare quartet Blue State have returned with their new single ‘Plastic Soul’,

‘Plastic Soul’ is full of thoughtful, contemplative lyrics set to a feverishly intense sonic energy. It balances between alternative rock, indie and shoegaze, offering a masterclass in contrast. Gentle, warming guitar builds an ambient, blissful soundscape — not without raspy, gritty lead vocals, urgent drums and dark, distant reverb. It’s angsty and melodic, well-constructed and wonderfully messy, with a build and fall that work together seemingly effortlessly. It’s everything all at once; but on top of it all, it is a sound that is undeniably Blue Slate.

James Lonergan, ‘Alternative Medicine’

The second single and title track from James Lonergan’s upcoming EP ‘Alternative Medicine’, a gloriously noisy and gripping 7-minute track where gritty, maximalist guitars meet softly melodic and nostalgic vocals.

“The song for me represents very plainly, the life of an artist. The constant hardship and uphill battle - but always getting back up and dusting yourself off because you love it. In the end, all you really want is the opportunity to blow people away (‘Cast you into space’).

Without Willow, ‘Love You Last’

Singer-songwriter duo Without Willow (Karen Kelly and Simon McCafferty) have released their new single ‘Love You Last’.

The song is the group’s third release this year, following their 2024 debut album Left Behind.

The track discusses the importance of everyday moments in a relationship rather than just the grand gestures.

“The song came about after Simon got engaged and showed me this stunning guitar idea he had just written,” said Kelly. “Straight away I could feel the emotion in it, and I knew I had to try and do it justice. It was a lovely writing process, one of those songs that just flowed so easily. And the best part is I get to sing it at their wedding next year, which makes it even more special.”

‘Love You Last’ is a slow, folk tinged track with intricate guitar and strong vocals. The song’s lyrical heaviness is broken up by soft Cello and guitar sections, adding another layer of depth.

StrawMan, ‘Krakatoa’

Alternative rock artist StrawMan has released his new single ‘Krakatoa’.

“This track is a defiant rebuke of the restrictions placed on us by both society and individuals,” said the artist. “It’s about breaking free and refusing to be contained.”

The song opens with a high-pitched organ arrangement, setting a unique tone, before fading into the country-tinged rock song.

StrawMan’s deep vocals pair seamlessly with the track’s soft rock instrumentals, surprisingly evoking a similar tone to the organ arrangement.

Eva St Maria, ‘Naïve’

Irish singer-songwriter Eva St Maria launches her debut single ‘Naïve’, an empowering track delivering a vibrant blend of indie pop/rock with a touch of country influence, driven by dynamic guitar lines, and an honest and optimistic vocal performance. It marks the first chapter of her upcoming visual EP Heartache, Baby! which will unfold as a short film across three singles. The accompanying music video for “Naïve” features bold visuals that echo the song’s core message.

“I wrote Naïve after realising I’d spent too long stuck in relationships where I’m receiving breadcrumbs, ” she says. “It’s not a heartbreak song—it’s a wake up song.”

Toria, ‘Flashing of Light’

Rising alt-rock artist Toria has released new single 'Flashing of Light'.,

“Flashing of Light touches on themes of death, and how sudden and shocking the loss of a loved one can be,” said Toria of the track.

“I wrote it during a dark period, and I feel as though it has solidified the direction in which I want my music to take.”

It cements her place as one of the most exciting new female voices in Irish alternative rock. While moody and melancholic, its kept moving with high-energy scorching hot instrumentals. It’s passionate and frustrated, full of tangible rage in both lyrics and sound. Toria demands to be heard— and we’re listening.

Paul Jackson, ‘Out Of Key’

The second single from Ennistymon based singer songwriter Paul Jackson's upcoming album (due out October 1), ‘Out Of Key' is a song of duality about unity, represented by intertwining guitar lines, and was written after hearing the news of the Christchurch shootings in 2019. The recording sessions for the track took place at The Lab Studio in Auckland, which has a vintage custom 53 series Neve desk at the heart of its control room, adding a warm vintage sound to the recordings.

Shafto, ‘Everyday’s A School Day’

Rap artist Shafto has released his new single ‘Everyday’s A School Day’.

The track was previously released years ago with an “up tempo vibe”, however, the rapper thought that a calmer approach better suited the track.

Shafto started his rap career 20 years ago with his rap duo JamNation.

‘Everyday’s A School Day’ features a jazzed-up, lively beat under classic Irish rap vocals. The track is broken up by slow paced sections, creating a stronger connection between the lyrics and tone of the song.

Ivan Nicolas, ‘All Your Wonder’

Ahead of his upcoming self-titled debut album, due out November 24, Irish rock artist Ivan Nicolas shares the heartfelt new single ‘All Your Wonder’, pairing soaring melodies with the raw emotion and cinematic depth that have become his signature.

Speaking about the track, Nicolas shares: “This was a bundle of joy to record. There was a real sense of freedom in the process, and I think that energy shines through in the music.”

Charles James & The Rise, ‘Crossing The Bar’

Donegal’s spell‑weaving folk ensemble Charles James & The Rise return with their new album Crossing the Bar, including its spellbindingly emotional title track. Lined with quietly nostalgic percussions, gentle guitar arpeggios and slow-building orchestral soundscapes, the instrumental makes for the perfect accompaniment to the tune’s delicate vocal performance and its careful harmonies.

Gareth Quinn Redmond, ‘Múscailte’

Irish ambient musician Gareth Quinn Redmond releases the quietly transporting ‘Múscailte’, the title track to his upcoming LP, due out November 7. Powerfully dreamy and atmospheric, the track employs relatively minimalist synths for a melody which offers a floating, ethereal sensation as it builds up to heavier textures.

Barry Peak, ‘Shivers and Shakes’

Belfast indie rocker Barry Peak has released his new single ‘Shivers and Shakes’.

It’s straight-up, no-nonsense rock track full of the “woo hoo”s that fans love. Peak’s lyrics address the messy, imperfect experience of growing up in the witty, well-put-together rockstar poetry that Peak is so talented at.

It’s the second single from his upcoming mini album after previous track ‘Appalachia’, a more melancholy, droning, dark pop sound— only serving to showcases Peak’s impressive range of talents.

Anyone who says they don’t make ‘em like they used to hasn’t met Barry Peak.

Broncos, ‘Lover’

Belfast post-hardcore band Broncos have released their new single ‘Lover’.

The track covers the “push pull duality in a relationship” where the desire for wanting something more is juxtaposed with the fear of getting hurt.

The group released their debut single ‘Erode’ in September 2024, followed up with ‘Lights Out’ in January 2025. ‘Lover’ is the Broncos’ third single.

The new song opens with roaring drums that are quickly accompanied by passionate screaming vocals.

The post-hardcore style is split up by calmer, more melodic sections of vocals, bringing more emotional depth to the track.

Ultras, ‘Who Did It’

Indie rock band Ultras have released their new single ‘Who Did It’.

The track discusses the pressure and sense of inevitably that comes with growing up and the struggle between rebelling and conforming.

The new single comes after the group’s debut single ‘With the Sound’, released in July.

‘Who Did It’ opens with a rhythmic bass riff that grounds the track as other elements build.

The lyrically dense track features repetitive, catchy vocals, seamlessly replicated by the instrumentals.

Síomha Hennessy, ‘It’s Not Love’

Comedian and singer-songwriter Síomha Hennessy has released ‘It’s Not Love’ from her debut EP Building Character.

The five track EP features humorous, self-aware lyrics.

Following the artist’s release of her comedic title track ‘Building Character’, ‘It’s Not Love’ takes on a completely different tone.

The track covers a confusing breakup and reflects on the singer’s past ends to relationships.

Carried by the song’s employment of strings and Hennessy’s heavy lyrics, the new release carries a deeply somber tone.

The mood is occasionally broken up by spoken words where the comedian leans towards her humorous side, giving the song an emotional lift.

Bear’s Den & Ciaran Lavery, ‘Promiser’

Band Bear’s Den and singer-songwriter Ciaran Lavery have joined forces for ‘Promiser’.

Released ahead of a fast-selling Irish tour later this month, the collaboraters explore the beauty of simplicity in both lyrics and sound.

“There was this lyrical idea early on of trying to write songs that didn’t need innate conflict or tragedy to exist,” said Bear’s Den’s Andrew Davie of the song.

“Songs that celebrated the beauty of love in its more simple, domestic and mundane moments without the need always for high drama.”

It’s a powerful delivery in vocals and shows off undeniable instrumental talent from all involved. It’s gentle and moving, intimate and soaring, all at once. Their chemistry is undeniable. A music lover’s track, for certain.

Side 4 Collective, ‘You and Me (Against the World)’ feat Colm Quearney & Carol Keogh

Drummer Dave Hingerty’s Side 4 Collective have released the new single ‘You and Me (Against the World)’ feat Colm Quearney & Carol Keogh.

The track was born out of Hingerty’s pre-created drumbeat which the two artists build the track around.

“This song was a joy to create,” said Hinerty. “Combining Colm Quearney’s and Carol Keogh’s songwriting gifts and unique voices, we felt we were onto a really good thing from the off!”

The song opens with Hingerty’s unique, soft yet upbeat drumbeat, later mimicked by the vocals.

Both singers display their delicate vocal styes as their duet builds on the chorus, creating a unique pop sound.

The Kyd G, ‘P’s & Karats’

The Kyd G has released ‘P’s & Karats’ off of his mixtape ‘Still G’.

It’s a mix of experimental rap, heavy drill and the anthems of street hip hop, creating a sound that is The Kyd G’s proud signature. It’s menacing and raw - but by far enjoyable, full of a heavy feeling that would lend well to being blasted on the big speakers.

‘P’s & Karats’ is a track that deserves to be played on a massive stage, and The Kyd G deserves a massive audience to match. One of the best new talents toeing the lines between hip-hop, RnB, pop and electronic/dance genres.

SAZZY G, ‘FIRST DANCE’

Sugary sweet and deliciously catchy, SAZZY G's debut single ‘FIRST DANCE’ is a belated summer anthem reminiscent of the best early 2010’s arena-worthy pop tunes, incredibly danceable and unredeemably dance-inducing, both romantic and tongue in cheeks, complete with the boisterous rock flavours of electric guitar solos.

Gavin James, ‘Storm Warning’

Gavin James has released his new single ‘Storm Warning’ ahead of his upcoming album Goldrush.

“The record has all the bells and whistles I love as a producer, but also the raw, imperfect moments that make it feel truly human,” said the singer.

‘Storm Warning’ is a classic pop love song featuring a grounding drumbeat.

The track builds drastically on the chorus, creating an almost chaotic feel as James’ vocals life above the rest of the song’s elements.

 

• • • Listen to our playlist below: